WK1 Etiquette in the Workplace

Business in Other Cultures Forum (reply each post 150- 200 words)

(#2 of 3)

Doing Business in Italy (Melissa)

As stated by Thill and Bovee, the way you communicate is deeply influenced by the culture in which you were raised. As a US Manager doing business with Italy, one must pay attention to the social norms, business ethics, and accepted methods of communication. Ignoring the cultural difference can do lasting damage to any potential relationship.

Maintaining successful associations within the Italian culture is not impossible, but there are clear cultural differences separating the two countries. For example, Italians greet others with a kiss on the cheek. Business meetings are structured very differently than the United States and have a more flexible and fluid expectation. In addition, meetings are more for the purpose of informational than for actual resolution. The Italian culture is extremely personable and they value relationships above all. Interestingly enough, it is acceptable to answer a phone call on your mobile device during a business meeting and openly engage in the conversation. 

As one can see from the examples above, the Italian culture has both similarities and differences to the US. It is vital to understand your audience prior to engaging them with these clear and potentially dividing standards. Bridging the cultural variances will provide the foundation for a strong and successful business model. 

References

Bovee, C. L., & Thill, J. V. (2012). Excellence in Business Communications, 12th edition. Boston, MA. Pearson.

Capuano, Marco. (2011, July). Challenges of Doing Business in Italy. Retrieved from http://www.lagazzettaitaliana.com/region-of-italy/7661-challenges-of-doing-business-in-italy 

Reply